Every spring, millions of gardeners rely on plastic plug trays to start seedlings, but most end up in landfills. The U.S. container crop industry generates around 500 million such containers yearly, totaling 350 million pounds of waste. Experts highlight challenges in recycling these items and suggest reuse and alternative options.
Gardeners across the U.S. use black plastic plug trays, often made from polystyrene or polypropylene, to germinate seedlings in nurseries, garden centers, and home setups. However, these trays pose significant recycling hurdles. Marie Chieppo, an ecological landscape designer and member of the Horticultural Research Institute’s Plastic Task Force, states that 95% to 98% of plastic plant containers end up in landfills, even when placed in recycling bins.
The primary issue stems from the trays' dark color, which absorbs light from sorting scanners at recycling facilities, preventing identification despite any recyclable codes. Additionally, residual soil and organic matter require cleaning, which curbside programs cannot handle efficiently. Different plastics from various manufacturers further complicate processing. As a result, placing dirty plug trays in curbside bins can contaminate the recycling stream.
Specialized recycling avenues exist. TerraCycle offers a Zero Waste Box for mail-in collection of garden plastics, starting at $169, ideal for group efforts like garden clubs to reduce costs. East Jordan Plastics in Michigan operates a closed-loop program, collecting and remanufacturing their containers into new products with Post-Consumer Recycled certification; some nurseries participate during deliveries. The Healthy Pots, Healthy Planet initiative by the Association of Professional Landscape Designers helps locate participating garden centers for returns.
To minimize waste, reuse is encouraged. Clean trays with warm soapy water post-use, then sanitize in a 1:9 bleach solution or via dishwasher. Sharing through community groups on platforms like Facebook or Nextdoor extends their life, as noted by gardeners like Kris at Montana Homesteader. Durable options from Bootstrap Farmer, made of BPA-free polypropylene, come with a one-year warranty.
Beyond gardening, trays serve as organizers for crafts, beads, screws, or seeds; paint mixing palettes; classroom tools; or workshop storage. For sustainability, alternatives include soil blockers that form freestanding pots, CowPots from composted manure and newsprint—which decompose in soil and boost plant growth, per Robin Sweetser of The Old Farmer’s Almanac—and DIY newspaper pots. Biodegradable options from wood fiber, coconut coir, or bamboo are gaining traction, according to Chieppo.
Gardeners can drive change by inquiring at nurseries about take-back programs and discussing waste reduction with neighbors.